In short, the engine is so naturally adapted to perform what is required, that even those of the most ordinary and meanest capacity may work it for some years without any injury, if not hired or employed by some base person on purpose to destroy it; for after the engine is once fixed, and at work, I may modestly affirm that the adventurer, or supervisor of the mine, will be freed from that perpetual charge, expense, and trouble of repairs, which all other engines ever yet employed in mines for the raising of water, are continually liable unto. CHAPTER SECOND. OF THE USES THAT THIS ENGINE MAY BE APPLIED UNTO. * * * * * OF THE USES THAT THIS ENGINE MAY BE APPLIED UNTO. It may be supposed that there are few people among us so ignorant, but must necessarily know of what value the falls of water are in most places, as being applicable to mills, which are made after various kinds and forms, according to the different genius and abilities of the millwright, for mill-work being in a manner infinitely diversified; and had I leisure to comment thereon, and give you an account, not only of the vast variety that I have seen and heard of, but (when encouraged) what may yet be brought to work by a steady stream, and the rotation or circular motion of a water-wheel, it would swell these papers to a much larger volume than was at first designed, and frustrate my intended brevity. I only just hint this to show what use this engine may be put to in working of mills, especially where coals are cheap. I have only this to urge, that water, in its fall from any determinate height, has simply a force answerable and equal to the force that raises it. So that an engine which will raise as much water as two horses working together at one time in such a work can do, and for which there must be constantly kept ten or twelve horses for doing the same, then, I say, such an engine will do the work or labour of ten or twelve horses; and whereas this engine may be made large enough to do the work required in employing eight, ten, fifteen, or twenty horses to be constantly maintained and kept for doing such a work, it will be improper to stint or confine its uses and operation in respect of water-mills. 2. It may be of great use for palaces, for the nobility’s or gentlemen’s houses; for, by a cistern on the top of a house, yoy may, with a great deal of ease and little charge, throw what quantity of water you have occasion for to the top of any house; which water, in its fall, makes you what sorts of fountains you please, and supplies any room in the house, and it is of excellent use in case of fire, of which more hereafter.